Pope Francis decries grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza, appeals for ceasefire
Vatican news
During the Angelus of the Solemnity of the Assumption, Pope Francis entrusts to Mary, Queen of Peace, the concern and pain of the peoples who suffer because of conflicts and war. He recalls the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and remembers all the peoples of the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar.
By Vatican News
After reciting the Angelus prayer on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to the sufferings that conflicts and wars are enduring in many parts of the world. He spoke of the peoples of Ukraine, the Middle East, Palestine, Israel, Sudan and Myanmar. And he prayed that “Mary, Queen of Peace, whom we contemplate today in the glory of Paradise,” “may obtain for all consolation and a future of serenity and harmony.”
Serious humanitarian situation in Gaza
The Pope prayed in particular for the people of Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels. He called for “a ceasefire on all fronts, the release of hostages and aid to the exhausted population.” He also encouraged everyone to do everything possible to avoid an escalation of the conflict and to pursue “paths of negotiation” to put an end to this tragedy. He punctuated his speech again by recalling that war is always a defeat.
Pray for the gift of peace
On the solemnity of the Assumption, the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, celebrated Mass on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, echoing the Pope’s calls for an end to the conflict. His homily reflected the tragic circumstances that the country has been going through for ten months and he entrusted to the Blessed Virgin, on her solemnity, the ardent desire for peace and for a “humanity finally reconciled.”
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, invited everyone to pray fervently for reconciliation and peace on the occasion of today’s feast, also in view of the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza taking place that day in Doha.
Gaza death toll passes 40,000
The Gaza Health Ministry reported Thursday that the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 92,400 since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Aid agencies estimate that up to 21,000 children are missing and could be trapped under rubble or buried in unmarked graves.
Vatican news
sc
